Before Boomerang: Interactive Flipbook Installation in Astoria

The Museum of the Moving Image has an ongoing, interactive video flipbook installation that predates Instagram’s popular boomerang feature. During a recent trip to the museum on October 18, 2019, my friend Miranda and I attempted to create our own flipbook.

We discovered the installation among other artifacts and eye-catching exhibits within the museum’s Behind the Screen exhibition located on the third floor. The camera faced a white backdrop where we stood using a joystick to tighten the image. After pressing an arcade-like start button, we performed five seconds of movement captured by a short burst of photos.

Instagram uses a similar method to simulate movement in boomerang videos.

Unlike posting a boomerang to social media, Miranda and I then purchased physical copies of our flipbook at the Moving Image Shop. Our five seconds worth of photos translated into a small 40 page booklet bound by a large staple.

Check out the gif below to see how our video flipbook turned out!